Bold and brazen: Revival of er@ticism on celluloid

Bold and brazen: Revival of er@ticism on celluloid
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:15 IST
B and C-grade movies, which had disappeared a while ago, now make a grand comeback

They might not evoke the respect that A-grade movies get, but one cannot take away credit from the imagination that's used in the content and titles of B-grade films. hitlist takes a quick look at the B-grade film industry which seems to be more active than ever before.

Some of the most bizarre and funny titles registered with film associations generally belong to B-grade films. It is obviously a tactic to attract eyeballs and draw audiences inside theatres that still thrive on these kind of films. The industry went through a lull for a while, but now it's back with ahem, a bang.

A decade ago, filmmakers such as Kanti Shah, Kishan Shah, Dilip Gulati, Komal Gulati, the late Jeetendra Chawda, the late Joginder, Chandani Gupta, Sanjay Khandelwal, Kumar Adarsh, Ravi Patwa and Robin Ghai were credited with making popular B-grade films. Some of these players are back in the scene now, and are busy making similar films.

B and C-grade films make a comeback
Trade analyst Atul Mohan says, `Yes, sleaze is trying to make a comeback. A decade ago, we had at least one or two films release in a week. Back then, most filmmakers in this category were working round the clock to churn out one film after another. We had 40-50 films releasing in a year. These cost around Rs 3-4 lakh to make and managed to garner business worth around Rs 10-12 lakh. Then supply exceeded demand, and technology too grew rapidly with mobiles and computers becoming affordable. Sex-driven content was not only relegated to films.`

He adds that the basic plot in most of these films was a revenge drama with a generous dose of sex. The market for their films was so big that producers would make a film every two months. An announcement about their next film would be made on the day their latest film had released.''

In the last five years, these films reached a saturation point and it became more difficult to find audiences for their films. Some filmmakers diversified into other fields; some opened post-production studios and others moved to the Bhojpuri film industry. With the slow disappearance of these films, C-grade English films were dubbed and presented with titles such as Chulbul Haseena, Sexy Secretary, Haseen Raatein and Mast Sali. But looks like times are changing again in their favour and some are now making sequels to their earlier hit films.


Competition heats up
Producer Sanjay Khandelwal is busy making Vatsyayan Kamasutra 2, a sequel to his earlier hit film, Vatsyayan Kamasutra. Kumar Adarsh, who is making the sequel to his film, Secrets of Sex, claims he is responsible for the revival of this section of the film industry. He says, `A trade magazine said that because I started work on this sequel, others are back to making similar films.` However, Adarsh hates his film being dubbed as C-grade. He says, `Secrets of Sex Part 2 is an educational film on sex. I have used the abbreviation SOS in the title to hint at an emergency and thus draw the audiences' attention. The film's intention is solely to educate people about sex and the taboo attached to it. My first film, SOS, was hugely popular online and managed to get about 20 million views,` he says. After this film, Adarsh will make a film called Red Light.

Kanti Shah and Kishan Shah, who are considered the undisputed badshahs of B and C-grade films, are also adding new films to their repertoire. If Bhansali made Ramleela, Kanti Shah is busy making Kaamleela. Shah says, `If there can be a Ramleela, why can't there be a Kaamleela?` It may be recalled that soon after Katrina Kaif's item song, Sheela Ki Jawani, was aired, Kanti Shah made a film called Sheela Ki Jawani. This film hit the screens even before Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan, which featured Kat's item song, was released in theatres. Along with Kaamleela, Shah is also making another film called MMS Kaand, which is expected to release soon. Kanti's brother Kishan too is getting ready to release a film unabashedly called XXX.


Good business
These films are released in single screens in B and C centres in Mumbai, and the producers make business to the tune of around R60,000 per week. But some of them fight shy of saying that their films are only made to titillate. Producer Sanjay Khandelwal says that his films are not porn. `One of my films is stuck with the Censor Board for eight months now. Many films made by reputed producers have far more explicit scenes.`

Well, that again is a topic for another debate.

B-grade fare
Films that have recently released or are ready to hit the screens soon:

>> Naadan Haseena

>> Love Sex, Multiplex

>> Tu Bewafa Hai

>> Kaamguru

>> Jigarbaaz Haseena

>> Pyaasi Chudial

>> Kaamastree

>> Tadapta Jism
'Nain Matakka' from Baby John by Diljit Dosanjh and Dhee to release on this date!

The buzz surrounding Baby John has been electrifying ever since the first announcement and teaser, and now the excitement intensifies as the makers are all set to unveil the first song ' "Nain Matakka" ' releasing on 25th November

Thursday, November 21, 2024
Indian Cinema's Finest Unite for 2024's Most Anticipated Family Entertainer Mufasa: The Lion King!

Mufasa: The Lion King, one of the most anticipated cinematic spectacles is all set to roar with a brand-new tale, taking audiences back to the journey of Mufasa's rise as the legendary King. This epic saga is already creating

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Farhan Akhtar Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Rezang La Heroes with '120 Bahadur'!

On the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Rezang La, actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar honoured the indomitable courage and sacrifice of the 120 soldiers who gave their lives during one of the most heroic

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Pushpa 2: The Rule Trailer Release - A Power-Packed Return of Allu Arjun's Iconic Character!

The highly anticipated trailer for Pushpa 2: The Rule was unveiled on Sunday, November 17, in Patna, Bihar, and it's creating waves across the internet. Featuring Allu Arjun reprising his

Monday, November 18, 2024
'Thukra Ke Mera Pyar' Trailer - A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Redemption!

The makers of the much-anticipated revenge saga 'Thukra Ke Mera Pyar' have unveiled its gripping trailer, promising a roller-coaster of emotions set against the backdrop of class

Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT